Special fitting and plug magazine for cementing oil and gas wells



Feb. 10, 1931.

GAS WELLS A. RODGERS SPECIAL FITTING AND PLUG MAGAZINE FOR CEMENTING;on. AND

Filed Feb. 21, 1927 Q IIVVVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orl-"lcs ARTHUR L. RODGERS,O1 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-EIGHTH TO J. W. 'IANNER,ONE-HALF T WILLIAM O.- HARRIS, AND THREE-EIGHTHS TO LOYAL J. MILLER, ALLOF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA SPECIAL FITTING AN'D PLUG MAGAZINE FOBCEMENTING OIL AND GAS WELLS Application filed February 21, 1927. SerialNo. 170,021.

7 My invention relates to a special fitting and plug magazine forcementing oil and gas wells.

The object, of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which will be new, novel and of utility, which will be easilymanufactured and constructed, easily applied and-attached to the casingof a well and cheaply maintained, which will be strong and durable,which will be eflicient in producing the results for which it isintended, that will save much time in the cementing of wells 'over thepresent system now in use, which will prevent the crushing of the casingin many ofthe wells and'thereby prevent the loss of the wells, where thepressure is great against the casing and the time necessary to cementthe same is long; that will decrease the danger to workmen in cementingthe wells by reducing the amount of mud, oil and slime around theplatform and derrick while the cementing is being done.

Other objects, and the new and novel features of the invention will befurther shown by the specification, claims and one sheet accompanyingdrawin reference to which is -now made, and of w ich,

.Figure 1 is an elev ational view of the deas follows: From an 8'to a 2inc .swage 1s nity to work, the wen s; clean vice showing the plugsdotted-in; Figure 2 is an elevational view, showing in section a portionof the magazine chamber, and the open valves in section in the rumiingin of the cement, and arrows showing the direction of the running in ofthe cement; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the magazine chambershowing the plugs held in place set-i screws, and asection of theopening or the measurin line; Fig. 4 is a sectional view through t evalves and the magazine chamber showing some of the valves 0 n in theforcing of, the cement downwar and the' other valves closed.

parts in all the figures. I

The present manner in 'common'use of cementing an oil or gas well isractically used having a T at its top. For the pur. pose of giving thecement :greater 31mg:-

casing is first lowered into the well until the lower end of the casingstrikes the bottom of the well. The mud hose is then connected at thetop from the rig. The pump is thenturned on the line and the waterpumped into the well, and the well is cleaned out by the forcing of thewater, etc., into and out of the well. After the well is cleaned theswage is then removed from the top, which requires considerable time,and a plug is placed in the head of the casing, after the placingof theplug the swage is then replaced at the top of the casing requiringadditional time to be spent thereat. This manner of cleaning out makesthe rig, platform and the different parts of the rig on which theworkmen are required to work very wet, muddy and slimy, sothat it isalmost impossible to get a safe and sure footing, and makes it dangerousto those required to work on that part of the job.

One plug only may be used. If two plugs are used the cement line orequipment is then connected at the top of the casing and the cement ispumped downward into. the casing driving the first plug above mentionedbefore it. -When this is accomplished it then becomes necessary to breakall connections is then forced down. into the well thereby forcing thecement out of the casing and into the surroundingl places needing thecement until the secon plug is seated over the .first plug. The abovedescribes the process necessary for the accomplishing of one cementing,and with each place this whole process must be'repeated. The wholeprocess unp .der the resent method consumes from two Like characters ofreference designate like to fourours each cementing. The length of timerequired to use my invention for such 95,: tfivorable circumstances willbe shorter than urpose .is only 35 to 40 minutes and under operative,will be shown as hereinafter'described as constructed and operative, oneembodiment of which is:

I provide a vertical section 1 of metalliccasing, of the preferred sizeof the metallic easing 2 in the well, unless it is desired to fit alarger or a reduced sized casing under certain circumstances. The casingof my device is connected to the casing 2 in the well by a coupling 3;connecting said casing 1 on one side at alined perforations 4, 5, 6, aresect-ions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 preferably composed of smallertubular pipes; said sections 7, 8, 9, being alined with each other,sections 10, 11, being alined together, and sections 12, 13, 14, beingalined with each other; sections 7,10, 12, are brazed or welded at theirinner ends at and sun-minding alined perforations 4, 5, 6, to saidcasing 1, and all of said sections are disposed at right angles to saidcasing 1. The preferred sizes of these and other tubular pipes hereindescribed are two inches in diameter other than their connectionsconnecting them. I provide sections 15, 16, 17, and 18 with threadedends constituting, with their connections, a vertical tubular pipeparallel with said casing 1 the upper end of section 15 and the lowerend of'section 16 are connected medially by .a union 19 similarlythreaded, and sections 17 and 18 are similarly connected by a similarconnection 20. A T 21 connects the lower end of section 15 and at rightangles thereto sections 8 and 9 medially; a second T 22 connects theupper end of section 16 and the lower end of section 17 medially, andsection 11' at right angles thereto; a third T 23 connects sections 13and 14 medially, and the upper end of section 18 at right anglesthereto. A globe valve 25 connects medially sections 7 and 8; a similarglobe valve 24 medially connects the outer threaded portion of section 9and the water hose 34; a similar globe valve 26 connects mediallysections 10 and 11; a similar globe valve 28 connects medially sections12 and 13; a similar globe valve 27 connects medially the outer threadedend of section 14 and the cement hose connection 35. These valves may beof any make of known valves suitable for such use, but the preferredvalve is what is known as a globe valve. Each of said valves 24, 25, 26,27 and 28 have the usual thumb-screw shutoff and opening cock, as shownat 29, 30, 31,

32 and 33. p

I also provide a metallic measuring line carrier pipe 36 to be brazed orwelded at its lower end 37 tothe casing 1, slightl above its lower end,and extending upwar ly and outwardly therefrom, having a bracing arm' 38brazed or welded at its res ective ends 39, 40, to the easin 1 and saipipe 36. .Its

' outer end 41 is t readed to receive such com nection as is desired tobe placed thereon for the measuring line 42, sa1d measur ng line gatevalve 44 having a set-screw 44a, connects medially the sections of theline measuring carrier 36. I also provide for the use -of a plug 45 anda second plug 46. The form of the plug is not claimed as a part of thisinvention, per se, but any known style of plug may be used. Thepreferred style, however, is such as has awasher or cup shaped top suchas is shown at 47 and 48. A thumbscrew with head 49 and screw portion 50fitting through perforations 51 in said casing at boss 52, when closed,prevents plug 45 from being lowered into the casing, and, when openedallows it to be lowered therein. A similar thumb-screw head 53 andthreadat boss 56, when closed, prevents said plug 45 from ascending insaid casing 1, and, when opened, permits the plug 46 when it is desiredto have same lowered to be lowered in said casing. A similar thumb-screwhead 57 and threaded portion 58 fitting through perforation 59 in saidcasing 1 at boss 60, when closed, prevents plug 46 from descending insaid casing 1 to and in said casing 2, and, when opened, permits it tobe lowered therein. 'A similar thumb-screw head 61 and threaded portion62 fits through perforation 63 in said casing 1 at boss 64 and, whenclosed, prevents plug 46 from ascending in casing 1, and, when opened,permits both plugs 45 and 46 to be lowered therein. At the top of easing1 is provided a threaded portion 65 with a collar 66' thereon and a plug67 therein through which end, when open, to admit of the insertion ofsaid plugs and when closed to permit of the forcibly sending into theeasing of the well water, cement, plugs and the like.

It'will be observed by those familiar with the art to which my inventionpertains that the device can be easily operated as follows: The casing 2is lowered into the well until its lower end rests on the bottom of thewell, or the place that it is desired to cement. The device, ormagazine, after being placed together as is described above, formlng aunit, is then'connected with the top of the casing 2 by placing thelower end of the casing 1 thereon and tightening the coupling 3therearound. For the purpose of cleaning out the well threaded plug 67in collar 66 is closed and set-screws 49, 53, 57 and 61 are all closed,as are-also all valves 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. The water or mud hose 34is connected-to the outer connection of valve 24 and said valve isopened by the unscrewing of the setscrew 29. The pump of the rig is thenstarted and the contents of the water or mud line is into the casingabove plug 46. This runs the, line on top of the screwheads 29 and 30.-It will now be ob-- served valves '25, 24 and 28 and set-screws 57 and61 are all closed. The cement hose is then attached to the outer end ofthe valve 27. Valves 27 and 26 are then opened by unscrewing set-screws32 and" 31and set-screw 49 below and above plug is opened. This leavesclosed valves 24, 25 and 28 and setscrews53, 57 and 61. The cement lineis then turned on and the force of the pump; steam, or w atever force isused on the job, placed behind the cement liiie; this forces the cementand water in such proportion as is desired to be used to travel alongthe line as indicated by arrows 7 O, 71, 72, 73 and 74 forcing'plug 45to the place desired for the beginning of the cementing. After thecement has been run valves 26 and 27 are closed by set-screws 31, 32,and valves 24 and 28 are opened by setscrews 29 and 33 and set-screws 53and 57 ard opened thereby releasing plug 46. This perlnits plug 46 todescend into the casing 1.

As soon as plug 46 has been lowered sufiicient- 1y to clear the bottom37 of the measurin lme' carrier 36, set-screw 44a is unscrewe openinggate valve 44, and lummet 43 on measuring line 42 is allowe to belowered plug 46 and permits it to be done without brea 'ng anyconnections at all, and the consequent making up of them after suchbreaking. .After plug 46 has been lowered into the casing 1 valves 25,26 and 27 are closed, and valves 24 and 28 are opened, as

are also set-screws 49, 53, 57, and the water is turned on through hose34 passing through opening 75 in valve 24 and opening 76 in valve 28along the line indicated by the arrows 77, 78, 79, 80,181, 82 and 83 andforcing plug 46 down into the casing 2 to the top of the place where thecementing has been done.

, After a run of cementing has been completed the device can then bedisconnected from the casing 2 and all of the valves and all of the setscrews opened and a connection made with the water hose line and cleanedout-for the next run, thus preventing any of the cement fromclinging toor injuring any parts of the device.

From the description and the accompanying one sheet drawing and thespecification and claims, the advantages of construction,

application and manufacture will be apparent to those skilled in the artto which my invention pertains. I have entered into a detaileddescription of the construction and relative parts and arrangement ofthe arts embraced in the present and preferre embodiment of my inventionin order to im art a full, clear and exact understanding o the saidembodiment. I do-not desire,however, to be understood as confiningmyself to the specific construction and re ative arrange ment of thearts inasmuch as inthe future modifications may be made such as fallwithin the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims,without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is: Y

. 1. A device-as described, comprising a vertical' tubular -member, itsupper end being adapted to be closed and openedjits lower end adapted toconnect the casing in a well, said member having three alinedperforations in one of its sides connecting three horizontal tubularpipes at right angles thereto, each of said ipes having therein aglobe-valve, and

and-an outwardly and upwardly extending tubular pipe its lower endconnecting the lower portion of said first vertical member, its upper'end rigidly braced to said first vertical member, said pipe adapted tohouse and have inserted therein a measuring line bearing a plummet, andhaving centrally therein a gate valve, all as and for the purposesspecified,

2. In adevi tion with a magazine adapted to be secured ce, as described,the combinato and form a continuation of a well casing having means forsupporting a plurality of plugs therein for consecutive discharge intosaidcasing, and'means for selectivel introducing material under pressureto sai magazine at the upper surface of each of said plugs, of anupwardly and outwardly extending tubular member its lower end connectingthe side of the lower porti n of said magazine, said tubular member adpted to receive therethrough a measurin line bearing a plummet forintroducing sai line into said casing for measuring depth, and a valvewithin said tubular member. y

ARTHUR L. RODGERS.

practice oft e invention various changes and

